Sport's lifeline for South Australian towns in near

As drought drags on in parts of South Australia, sporting clubs are feeling the pressure.

While some areas of the state have had rain, locals at Hawker, 380 kilometres north of Adelaide, say they have faced more than a decade of drought.

The town has a population of fewer than 230 people — many of whom play sport on particularly dry grounds — and has recorded around 80 millimetres less rainfall this year than its annual average of 300mm.

Hawker local Scott Teague, whose family has run the town's service station and information centre since 1952, said it was unsurprising.

"I think everyone has just grown up used to having no rain, but it does get you down," Mr Teague said.

"We haven't got out of drought conditions here in the Flinders for 15 years probably.

"You have some good years,